Game 2014.152: Tigers at Twins

84-67, 1st place, 1.5 games up.

KC lost last night to CWS, which allowed the Tigers to keep their slim division lead at 1.5 games despite another 9th inning implosion. The Royals face Chris Sale tonight, which sounds nice on paper. But you never know with #Sep-Tober (no matter how hard I try, this isn’t really becoming a thing, is it?)

There was a lot of discussion on yesterday’s thread about Joe Nathan, and the Tigers bullpen found itself a topic this morning on Buster Olney’s podcast. Rightfully so. Even if Carrera doesn’t misplay the single, it’s still a single. More frighteningly, Nathan has made walking batters a fad now, having issued 12 walks in his last 16 innings. It’s simply inexcusable.

Let me highlight the concern. In the past three years, the Tigers have played in 35 postseason games. Of those 35 games, 15 have been decided by 1 run, and 26 out of 35 (nearly 75%) have been decided by 3 runs or fewer. There’s not enough time for Nathan to “work it out.” The auditions have to start now.

The Tigers wrap-up the series with Minnesota tonight before their final off-day of the regular season tomorrow. Then it’s 6 at KC & CWS, follows by 4 at home versus these same Twins to end the season.

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In other news, Peter Gammons reported today that the Tigers (along with the Phillies, Padres, Giants, and Rangers) are among the favorites to sign 23 year old Cuban outfielder Yasmani Tomas. The reported price tag is $100M.

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David Price is 3-3 with the Tigers. He has 2 or 3 starts left.

Drew Smyly is 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA and .755 WHIP for Tampa Bay. Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz?

We need Price to be an ace from here on out. #DoItForTheRotation

1. 2B Ian Kinsler
2. RF Torii Hunter
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera
4. DH Victor Martinez
5. LF J.D. Martinez
6. 3B Nick Castellanos
7. C Bryan Holaday
8. SS Andrew Romine
9. CF Rajai Davis

29 thoughts on “Game 2014.152: Tigers at Twins”

  1. Sure glad we gave up Jackson and Smily for this guy…hes Bonderman all over again can’t pitch the first inning without giving up 2-3-4-5

  2. Price at 3-3 nothing like I expected..and 3-3 is basically a reflection of his actual pitching…pretty average

  3. I had a feeling scoring that run in the second was a bad omen..Now the Sluggos know for sure they can take the rest of the game off!!!!

  4. What a surprise, the reliever allows the inherited runner to score. Tigers must lead the league in this.

  5. You can’t just waltz into Minnesota and expect to beat the Twins. I mean, they are 31-43 at home.

  6. Dave Clark is a terrible third-base coach no matter what Rod Allen says. That’s why I’ll be glad when Jack Morris takes Rods spot next year

    1. I think Clark and Cabrera and the batter Martinez had something to do with it, as well. Somebody missed what the plan was (I suspect it was Cabrera – sure didn’t look like Hunter’s orders were go for broke on contact), and I also suspect that Martinez isn’t too happy with his choice of pitch to swing at (what was it – second pitch?).

  7. This is exactly the way the Tigers play against anyone not named Kansas City. They only put in the amount of effort that is absolutely necessary. THats why they are undet .500 against EVERYONE else. Today it caught up to them again…3-0 in the first and they sat on it like always!

  8. Sure glad Johnsons back for more. Especially when we luck out and he didn’t give up anything in the 8th…

  9. When its time to take the Tigers starting pitcher out, in order to save time and embarassment the Tigers should just quit the game right there….just sayin!

    1. Well, Price shouldn’t have been back out for the 6th. But this bullpen leaves you with nowhere to turn.

  10. I guess that we need to beat KC to take the division. Was hoping for the 1.5 game cushion going in. Need to take 2 of 3. Our only hope to the WS I believe is through Baltimore not LA.

    1. Jud, David Price undoubtedly lost the biggest game of our season tonight! I would put $500 down that whichever team wins Friday, that team wins the Division! WHY? Simple! Shields pitches Saturday and Monday the Royals should have an ‘Auto’ Loss in Game 1 vs. Cleveland!
      So, we pick up 1/2 game on Monday’s First game of their DH, but if we lose Friday, we just MAY get swept! Scherzer pitching like crap, JV has No Chance to win Friday, and Scherzer is ‘Outta There’ vs. Shields on Saturday, and Porcello, excuse the language, absolutely went to hell the past 4 games, and WILL LOSE if we lose Friday and Saturday! That takes us out of the Division, and begins a landslide as we cannot stand a chance vs. TWINKIES! They came to life in time to spoil our chances, and they are enjoying every minute of it folks! So what I am saying is, the “FREEBIE’ on Monday’s early game is going to do nothing, and we lose at least 2 of 3 vs. KC, win 2 of 3 vs. CWS, and lose 2 of 4 at home to Twinkies! That gives us a probable 5 of 10 remaining, and the difference will be game 1 on Friday which will send us reeling and we lose 2 of 3 or 3 of 3 to KC! Money says KC wins 8 of last 10, and slam dunks us to give us the 2nd WC by one game, and we lose the first playoff series! Ausmus’ attitude post game tonight was absolutely awful and he should be canned for it! Cannot believe Sanibal the ‘Wimp” literally cost us the entire season just throwing to 1st base? UNREAL SANCHEZ YOU WIMP! Thanks Loads!

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